There must have been red faces at the Hong Kong Jockey Club during the Olympics when the show jumping stage of the men's Modern Pentathlon became a muddy farce.

Of the 36 riders who took part, all incurred penalty points and five failed to complete the course. British competitor Sam Weale went into the event in eleventh but despite putting in a round where his horse refused twice at the fourth obstacle he moved into third. The combination of rain-softened conditions, a raucous crowd in a cramped arena and fences too difficult to jump (they were lowered before the women's contest the next day) proved too much for the horses used - thoroughbreds loaned out by the HKJC whose names were changed for the day. The idea of each horse - drawn by lottery - being used twice during the event was quickly scrapped once it started to look as if some had never seen a fence before.

Not that the HKJC can be accused of cutting. They spent US$150million on facilities for the visitors and the stables had air-conditioning, water dispensers, padded floors and walls to prevent injury and most intriguingly - play rooms.

Super Sundays in America

Sundays are often billed as family fun days at British racecourses and the situation is the same at a number of American tracks - although the generosity of their offers puts their British counterparts to shame.

With this being a Bank Holiday weekend in the US, today's Family Day at Ellis Park in Kentucky includes free admission to all and a $1 flat fee for hot dogs, draught beers, soft drinks, ice cream and popcorn. A band will perform after racing and all racegoers will receive a free duffel bag.

Putin's pal misses variety day

It was disappointing that Mourilyan could not take up his entry and make his British debut at Sandown yesterday, although the four-year-old's owner may not totally have fitted in among the various minor celebrities parading on Variety Club day at the Esher track. Mourilyan races for Ramzan Kadyrov, the colourful president of Chechnya. Kadyrov, whose close friends include Vladimir Putin, believes in polygamy and keeps a lion and a tiger as pets. He also has his own private army who have faced accusations of rape, torture and kidnapping from human rights groups.

Thommo's great gaffe

Derek Thompson's presence as raceday host and paddock announcer at Great Leighs caused its usual mixture of humour and embarrassment as the Essex track hosted a three-day Summer Carnival last week. One particularly cringeworthy moment came when the Channel 4 presenter, meandering around the winner's enclosure with a microphone, spotted a man in a wheelchair. After a bit of general banter, Thommo asked him: 'So tell me about this machine, how fast does it go?' On getting the reply 'About three miles per hour', Thommo guffawed: 'Ho ho, I hope your tips go faster!'

What's in a name?

Trainer George Baker has often been mixed up with his jockey namesake, but there could be even greater confusion next year. A yearling Camacho colt bought last week at Doncaster sales by owner Harry Findlay is going to be named George Baker. He will be trained by George Baker and will be ridden by his namesake (right). 'I spoke to the jockey GB last night and he seemed as thrilled by this plan as we are. George Baker will be trained by George Baker and ridden by George Baker,' says the trainer on his blog.